TODAY IN HISTORY: The 2004 World Series: A Historic Championship for the Boston Red Sox
The 2004 World Series marked the 100th edition of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) most prestigious championship series. In what would go down as one of the most iconic moments in baseball history, the Boston Red Sox, after a long 86-year championship drought, swept the St. Louis Cardinals in four games. The series, played from October 23 to 27, 2004, brought joy and relief to Red Sox fans around the world as they celebrated their team’s first World Series title since 1918, finally ending the infamous Curse of the Bambino.
The Teams: Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The 2004 World Series was a matchup between the American League (AL) champion Boston Red Sox and the National League (NL) champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Red Sox, led by manager Terry Francona, had a remarkable season, overcoming a historic comeback in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) to reach the World Series. Their opponent, the St. Louis Cardinals, managed by Tony La Russa, had been dominant throughout the season, finishing with the best record in baseball and showcasing a deep roster of talent, including the likes of Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds.
While the Red Sox had a storied history and loyal fanbase, their championship drought was a weighty burden. The Curse of the Bambino, a mythological curse believed to be brought on by the team’s sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919, loomed large over the franchise for decades. For St. Louis, the series represented another chance to add to their illustrious history of championships, which had already made them one of the most successful franchises in MLB.
The 2004 World Series: The Red Sox Sweep the Cardinals
The series unfolded in dramatic fashion, with the Red Sox dominating the Cardinals across all aspects of the game. The Red Sox’s pitching staff, which had been stellar all postseason, continued to shine. Starting pitchers like Curt Schilling and Pedro MartÃnez led the way, while the bullpen held up under pressure. Schilling, in particular, became a legend for his gutsy performance in Game 2, where he famously pitched with a torn tendon in his ankle, contributing to a key win.
The offense, too, was explosive. Led by World Series MVP Manny RamÃrez, who hit .412 with one home run and four RBIs, the Red Sox offense overwhelmed the Cardinals’ pitchers. Sluggers like David Ortiz and Johnny Damon also came through in big moments, with Damon famously hitting two home runs in Game 4 to close out the series in dominant fashion.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, were unable to mount a comeback against the Red Sox’s balanced attack. Despite strong individual performances from players like Pujols and Scott Rolen, the Cardinals’ pitching staff struggled, and their bats went cold at the wrong time. Game after game, the Red Sox looked unbeatable, securing their sweep with a 3-0 victory in Game 4 at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis.
A Historic Moment: The End of the Curse of the Bambino
For Red Sox fans, the victory was the culmination of a century of frustration. The 2004 World Series ended the notorious Curse of the Bambino, a superstition that had haunted the team since they traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1919. The curse was believed to have caused the Red Sox to endure a long stretch without a championship, while the Yankees went on to become one of the most successful teams in baseball history.
When the final out was recorded in Game 4, the Red Sox not only claimed their first World Series title in 86 years, but they also lifted the weight of generations of baseball fans who had been waiting for this moment. The victory was as much about redemption as it was about celebrating athletic achievement. The team’s historic run through the postseason, which included their miraculous comeback against the Yankees in the ALCS, only added to the mythos of the 2004 Red Sox.
The Broadcast and Viewership
The 2004 World Series captured the attention of baseball fans across the globe, with an average of just under 25.5 million viewers tuning in to watch the games. The series was broadcast nationally on Fox, and the network’s coverage helped elevate the excitement surrounding the Red Sox’s historic victory. The atmosphere at both Fenway Park and Busch Memorial Stadium was electric, and fans of all ages and backgrounds celebrated the Red Sox’s triumph.
The 2004 World Series was not only significant for Red Sox fans but for the sport of baseball itself. The series captured the imagination of viewers, showcasing the drama, intensity, and emotion that make baseball such a unique and cherished sport.
Conclusion: The Red Sox’s Place in History
The 2004 World Series will forever be remembered as one of the most unforgettable championships in MLB history. The Boston Red Sox’s four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals was more than just a victory; it was the end of an era of frustration and heartbreak for the team and their fans. By winning their first title since 1918, the Red Sox erased the myth of the Curse of the Bambino and solidified their place in the annals of baseball lore. The 2004 World Series will always be remembered as a defining moment in the history of the sport, and for Red Sox fans, it remains a symbol of perseverance, redemption, and the joy of finally claiming what had long been out of reach.
